Surgery to sideline Avalanche's Sakic for up to 12 weeks

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic
is to undergo hernia surgery and will be sidelined for eight to
12 weeks, the team said on Thursday.

"Joe's rehabilitation has not progressed as anticipated and
upon further evaluation the decision has been made to perform
surgery in order for him to fully recover," team physician Andy
Parker said in a statement.

Sakic has missed 12 consecutive games because of the
injury.

"After consulting with the doctors we believe this
procedure will enable me to return to the lineup," Sakic said
in a statement.

Prior to the injury, Sakic had played 232 consecutive
games, beginning the streak on Jan 6, 2004.

(Writing by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing
by John O'Brien)